Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of We Solve Murders opens with Jeff Nolan at his long-frequented restaurant, Bruno’s, where the familiarity of the setting offers a sense of comfort. The act of refusing Parmesan, a gesture small yet meaningful, highlights the personal nature of Jeff’s relationship with the establishment and its staff. As he sifts through various files, including some older ones, Jeff reflects on the long road he has traveled, battling obstacles, and striving to keep his business afloat amidst mounting pressures. Despite the hectic nature of his life, Jeff savors the peace of dining alone—a rare escape from the fast-paced work he is so accustomed to, and a stark contrast to the many corporate dinners filled with clients and business deals. For Jeff, Bruno’s has become a refuge, a place where the chaos of his life fades away, if only for a brief moment.

Jeff’s career trajectory has been a story of remarkable achievements driven by his innate attention to detail. By the age of eighteen, he had already begun accumulating significant wealth, and by twenty-four, he had secured his first home in Sevenoaks. His aspirations only grew as he transitioned into his late twenties, eventually purchasing a luxurious townhouse in Mayfair by the age of twenty-eight. This remarkable success was fueled by Jeff’s obsession with precision—qualities that he discovered early on in his life after a lackluster security detail while working with a Saudi prince. Recognizing a gap in the market, Jeff pivoted to the close-protection industry, where his sharp eye for detail served him well. By the time he reached thirty-five, Jeff was at the helm of his own enterprise, finding not only financial success but also personal satisfaction in his ability to navigate the high-stakes world of security.

As Jeff reads an email from François Loubet, the gravity of his situation becomes more apparent. The email, dated April 14th, serves as a veiled threat, referencing the legal troubles of Jeff’s clients and implying that these complications are the direct consequence of Jeff’s earlier confrontation with Loubet. What was once a seemingly straightforward professional relationship now teeters on the edge of danger, as the email hints at further entanglements, such as a mysterious figure named “Joe Blow” who might have an even darker role in the ongoing troubles. The email serves as a stark reminder to Jeff of how quickly the situation can spiral out of control. It forces him to confront the fact that his life and career are now heavily influenced by these high-risk interactions, and every decision made carries consequences that extend far beyond his immediate control. The sense of being trapped in a game he can’t entirely predict or control becomes increasingly apparent.

The situation quickly takes a turn for the worse when a revving engine breaks the uneasy silence. In an instant, Jeff’s years of training kick in as he reacts instinctively, leaping from his seat and rushing outside to see a black Jeep speeding toward the restaurant. The crash into the restaurant’s windows sends glass flying, and the masked figures emerging from the vehicle wielding pistols mark the beginning of an unexpected and dangerous encounter. Jeff’s immediate response is to retreat into the kitchen, his mind racing as he calculates his best escape route. With the quick-thinking of a seasoned professional, Jeff makes it to the emergency exit and dashes into the alleyways of Mayfair, narrowly evading the attackers. The danger is palpable, the air thick with the tension of knowing that his life is now at risk, all because of forces far beyond his control.

This chapter is a dynamic blend of tension, action, and psychological depth, skillfully weaving Jeff’s past and present into a narrative filled with high stakes. The dangerous encounter outside the restaurant serves as both a literal and figurative turning point for Jeff, forcing him to face the deadly game he’s been part of for years. Meanwhile, the email from Loubet and the mention of “Joe Blow” create an ever-deepening sense of foreboding, signaling that the web of threats surrounding Jeff is only growing more complex. The chapter ends with a heightened sense of urgency, as Jeff escapes into the night, the events setting the stage for what promises to be a nail-biting continuation of the story. With each passing moment, Jeff is drawn deeper into the dangers that surround him, and the true extent of the web of deception he’s caught in becomes even more chillingly clear. The tension, now palpable, leaves the reader eagerly anticipating the next steps in this escalating game of cat and mouse.